The Hobbit Movie Forum

[Tinuviel]

haha! Michael Sheen! I think thats his name... but he plays Aro in New Moon ( ) but I think if we made him Morgoth, then he could pull it off.
Or not.
This IS difficult! What about the guy who played the mouth of Sauron? every time I think of Morgoth, his character in the movie shows up.

As for Beren... He needs to be a little older (30s i would say) and still has his youth, is handsome, and rugged. Therefore, I still think Colin Farell.

[Odo Banks]

Hi Tinuviel.

If Beren is about thirty, then his father would be at least fifty I would have thought. I don't know, but I feel Barahir would be still pretty robust, maybe forty to forty five? Maybe Beren was twenty to twenty five? In the antique times we're talking about, I would have thought a hard mortal life would also have meant a fairly short one. Folk would age and wear out quite swiftly. A twenty year old in Dorthonion who was being hunted by Orcs and other beasties day and night might physically be like a thirty year old before long -it's not like his life was pampered in any way. What do you think?

I don't know Michael Sheen and will have to look up that gent. Bruce Spence (the Mouth of Sauron) I'm not sure would be right, though The Mouth's disusting qualities sit with my feelings about Morgoth. I think this could contrast nicely with Sauron's Maian beauty, for I imagine Sauron, in the early days, was fell but beautiful. (I'm not sure how far this idea would accord with the text, but I think for the movie it might be prudent to have Morgoth and Sauron be quite different outwardly).

Odo

[Tinuviel]

Well, he seems more fair than foul right? so he must be evil
I don't know of any really good bad guys other than Sauron, nor any good bad guy actors, other than Christopher Lee...
What about Gerard Butler? He was the phantom in phantom of the opera and that guy in law abiding citizen... He has the voice, and make up is always available...
Since Sauron should look angelic yet terrrible, how about Eric Bana?

[Gandalfs Beard]

Do mean Eric in Bruce form or Hulk form . Not quite Angelic enough for me.
Though I could see him as any number of other characters.

How about Bill Nighy as Morgoth. He's REALLY Horrorshow in the Underworld films.

GB

[Odo Banks]

Actually, Tinuviel, Eric is a big guy who can put forth a big presence. He could do Morgoth. We'd have to dirty and darken him up a bit, but why not? (I imagine hot magma around him for some reason - and oppresive heat, though I guess that would naturally go with magma).

We need someone darn pretty for Sauron. Did someone suggest a female actor sometime? I think you did, GB. Though the White Witch might seem a bit severe somehow. Sauron is a seductive figure (think of the way he seduced Celebrimbor much later on), so perhaps he should look kind of innocent.

Hey! What a great part this would be for a beautiful young female actor. The combination of (almost) naive beauty and innate evil. Wow! And what if Sauron never shows anything but sweet innocence even when he's doing the most horrid things - as if he knows no Sin! Wow again, I say - Wow! (His Pure and Open evil can come out in the Second or Third Age - time enough for that!)

I'm so excited I think it best I go lie down awhile.

Odo

[Gandalfs Beard]

I did indeed suggest Tilda Swinton (The White Witch) and Cate Blanchett. Who both can project seduction with just a hint of Evil. But we can't get a Cleo or Jessica Alba. We need someone who can project gender ambiguity, i.e. androgeny, and Tilda and Cate both have a proven track record on that score.

Did you see Eric Bana as the "Evil" Romulan in the Star Trek reboot Odo? That character seems to embody your description. Still, I'd prefer someone more Craggy and Sinister. I can't recall the name of Bill Nighy's vampire character in Underworld, but Google it for an image of him in that part...gives me the willies just thinking of him.

GB

[Tinuviel]

I don't think "Innocent" is what Tolkein amied for. I think seductive is. The thing is, there is no living person who could pull it off, which I think is what Tolkein intended. I think we can take any actor (or actress it seems) and use some CGI magic to make them look more angelic and less human. Therefore, look doesn't have to be an issue. And if Eric Bana wasn't Morgoth, perhaps Beren even? or Carl Urban? David Wenham? All of them have done these types of movies before and know what they're doing, so why not?

[Odo Banks]

Tinuviel, I like the idea of Sauron looking innocent. Remember, it's just a 'semblance" of innocence. Tolkien fans are not stupid. No matter how innocent Sauron might seem, we know he's not, especially with what he says and does. Hey just look at the kind of people he associates with! And remember, too, Sauron (a long time later) is fair and sweet enough to fool Celebrimbor the Ring Maker - who would not be fooled easily!

We MUST NOT dumb this movie down to suit any Heathen-type people. I keep saying, Tolkien trusted in his tales - so should we! I also think "Of Beren and Luthien" is very filmable, and this with very very little sub-creating.

GB. I don't know Mr Nighy, but I do like the direction you're taking regards Morgoth.

Yours faithfully, with Fundamentalist hat on,
Odo Banks

[Odo Banks]

Bill Nighy might work. Could the burden of Great Evil make one seem so careworn? Maybe it could! Though big and strong and burdened could work too (Eric Bana?)

Odo

[Tinuviel]

Ok. Point taken. But the innocent side shouldn't be seen the whole time. That horrible evil within should come out, maybe when hes trying to frighten Luthien. But I feel definitely Eric Bana should be in it somehow. I feel like he deserves a part in this movie.
And Bill Nighy seems a little too old... I think Morgoth should be (human wise) like a 45 year old who is strongly built because of carrying the silmarils.